Small Rural Communities Study

Responding to the unprecedented rate of change in health service provision in small rural communities this study is investigating the link between the process of change and the outcome of change in six communities with populations of less than 2000 people. It follows on an earlier study carried out in Gippsland which conducted focus groups and interviews with people in six communities classified as tiny (about 500 people), very small (500-1500) and small (2000) to investigate the meaning of "health" to rural people. Some communities have known that change to health service provision was coming and have reacted by anticipating change and working with it. Others have had a strong feeling that their existing arrangements were working well for them and that change could only be for the worse. It is anticipated by this study that clarifying how communities react to change, the processes they invoke and the strategies they use will increase understanding of the different options and outcomes for their communities. Those outcomes can be measured by the range of services available and the amount of resources which come into the community to support health care.

The study has involved interviews with six (6) key informants from each of six (6) towns throughout Victoria. The towns were selected on the basis that they met the criteria of size established in the first part of the study, and that they were undergoing substantial change in health service provision. They were matched into three pairs based on size, with half of each pair having 'volunteered' for change and half having 'been required' to change. Published documents relating to services and funding provides the information to assess the resource base of the new services. The project will be completed before the end of the financial year 1996. is anticipated that other small towns will be able to use the report to reflect on what their choices may be if they want to or are required to change the allocation of the health dollar, and that city based decision makers may find the report helpful in informing future decisions about the provision of public sector health services to small rural communities. A provisional report has been presented to key sections of the Department of Human Services and at regional conferences.

For further information contact:

Jo Wainer, School of Rural Health